In Reply to: pure sensationalism posted by mackas on Friday, 1. December 2006 at 05:32 Bali Time:
I hate to bring up the subject again but I really think we need to look at the realities of what this is all about. It can not be "crap" reporting if the subject is genuine and no attempt has been made to alter the actual facts to enhance or sensationalise the story. Drugs are sold on the street by dealers with close links to the police who, in many cases, arrest the buyers and then have the drugs put back into circulation by the very same sellers who started the procedure in the first place. Corruption is rampant at all levels of the system and if you have the money you can buy youself out of the situation. If not; tough luck. These types of situations (ie. using the original seller to recycle the drugs with the help of the local police) do not occur in Australia, or any other western country that I am aware of, although drugs are available. At the moment we have several of our citizens in custody for drug offences in various locations around Indonesia, primarily Bali, and several of them have been sentenced to death for their indescretions. At least one new case a week is reported in the local and/or overseas press with circumstances that are often just a little shaky. Because of this, and several other reasons, the level of interest in the Bali drug scene is very high and has been for some time. As a result the report on Today Tonight was legitimate and newsworthy. It did not contain any discernable evidence of Bali bashing, sensationalism or any other form of "crap". Anything and everything that may keep an impressionable youngster from getting involved in the drug scene during a moment of impulsive stupidity, or any other reason, is legitimate and should be encouraged not shouted down. Who knows, it may just save a life.
Cheers
Maverick